Growth factor complexes and modulation of cell migration and growth

ABSTRACT

Isolated protein complexes are provided comprising growth factors such as IGF-I, IGF-II, VEGF or PDGF, or at least domains thereof that enable binding to and activation of both a growth factor receptor, and an integrin receptor-binding domain of vitronectin or fibronectin. These protein complexes may be in the form of oligo-protein complexes or single, synthetic proteins where the growth factor and vitronectin or fibronectin sequences are joined by a linker sequence. In particular forms, vitronectin or fibronectin sequences do not include a heparin binding domain and/or polyanionic domain. Also provided are uses of these protein complexes for stimulating or inducing cell migration and/or proliferation which may have use in wound healing, tissue engineering, cosmetic and therapeutic treatments such as skin replacement and skin replenishment and treatment of burns where epithelial cell migration is required. In other embodiments, the invention provides inhibition of cancer cell metastasis, particularly in relation to breast cancer.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/544,796, filed Mar. 30, 2006, which claims priority from PCT International Appln. No. PCT/AU2004/000117, filed Feb. 5, 2004 and Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2003900481, filed Feb. 5, 2003 (now Expired). The subject matter of the aforementioned applications is hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to protein complexes having respective domains that enable binding to and activation of both a growth factor receptor, such as the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor, and an integrin receptor for vitronectin or fibronectin. In particular embodiments, this invention relates to chimeric proteins comprising insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor-II, platelet-derived growth factor or vascular endothelium-derived growth factor receptor-binding domains and an integrin receptor-binding domain of vitronectin or fibronectin. More particularly, this invention relates to protein complexes that stimulate cell migration and to compositions and methods that promote or induce cell migration and/or proliferation. These compositions and methods may have use in wound healing, tissue engineering, cosmetic and therapeutic treatments such as skin replacement and skin replenishment and treatment of burns where epithelial cell migration and/or proliferation is required. In other embodiments, the invention provides treatment provided by the present invention related to prevention or inhibition of cancer cell metastasis, particularly in relation to breast cancer. Chimeric proteins of the invention may also be useful for the production of agonists and antagonists of the biological actions of protein complexes comprising insulin-like growth factors, vitronectin and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF-I and IGF-II, are mitogenic peptide growth factors involved in a broad range of cellular processes including hyperplasia, DNA synthesis, differentiation, cell cycle progression and inhibition of apoptosis (Keiss et al., 1994, Hormone Research 41 66; Wood & Yee, 2000, J. Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia 5 1; Jones & Clemmons, 1995, Endocrine Rev. 16 3). These effects are mediated through binding to their tyrosine-kinase linked cell surface receptor, the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-IR). The IGFs are also tightly regulated by a family of specific binding proteins, termed IGFBPs, whose primary role is to bind free IGFs and thereby moderate their half-life, specificity and activity (Clemmons, 1998, Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 140 19).

Recently, vitronectin (VN) has been shown to bind directly to IGF-II (Upton et al., 1999. Endocrinology 140 2928-31) while IGF-I can bind to VN in the presence of certain IGFBPs, as described in International Publication WO 02/24219. The finding that VN, an ECM organization and adhesion molecule, binds IGF-II with an affinity that is similar to that of IGF-II for IGF-IR (Upton et al., 1999, supra), its biologically relevant receptor, reveals a specific physical link between IGF action and VN in the ECM. In addition, IGF-II bound to VN can stimulate synergistic functional responses in human keratinocytes in vitro (International Publication WO 02/24219).

VN is a glycoprotein that is highly abundant in the blood and in the ECM. Primarily synthesized in the liver, but expressed by many other cell types, VN circulates in the blood in a closed conformation and is deposited in the ECM in an open, or extended, conformation (Schvartz et al., 1999, The International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology 31 531-44). Both conformations are believed to bind IGF-II (Upton et al., 1999, supra; International Publication WO 02/24219; McMurty et al., 1996, Endocrinology 150:149-60) and also bind multiple other ligands including collagen (Morris et al., 1994, Journal of Biological Chemistry 269 23845-52), glycosaminoglycans (Francois et al., 1999, Journal of Biological Chemistry 274: 37611-19), many other ECM proteins and a wide variety of integrins, particularly the α_(v) integrins. Indeed, the primary role of vitronectin is as an ECM organization molecule that provides adhesive links to these cell surface integrin receptors via an RGD binding motif. The VN receptors (α_(v) integrins) have been shown to regulate the actin cytoskeleton rearrangement required for growth and invasion, hence, VN binding coordinates cell adhesion and movement (DePasquale, 1998, Histochemistry and Cell Biology 110: 485-94; Huang, 2000, Oncogene 19 1915-23).

However, the respective, relative contributions of IGFs and VN present in protein complexes, in terms of stimulating biological responses such as cell migration and/or proliferation, has remained elusive, as has the site of protein-protein interaction between IGFs/IGFBPs and VN.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventors have discovered that protein complexes comprising IGF-II and VN, or IGF-I and IGFBP and VN or FN stimulate cell migration and/or proliferation by binding and synergistically co-activating IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) and VN-binding integrin receptors.

Furthermore, a polyanionic domain of VN has been identified as a proposed binding site of either IGFs or IGFBPs.

Therefore, the invention is broadly directed to isolated protein complexes that comprise a receptor-binding domain of a growth factor domain and a domain of vitrronectin or fibronectin that is capable of binding an integrin receptor, wherein the isolated protein complex can co-activate the growth factor and integrin receptor to thereby elicit a biological response.

In a first aspect, the invention provides an isolated protein complex comprising:

(i) a growth factor, or at least a domain of a growth factor which is capable of binding a cognate growth factor receptor; and

(ii) vitronectin (VN) or fibronectin (FN), or at least an integrin-binding domain of VN or FN.

In a second aspect, the invention provides an isolated protein complex in the form of a synthetic chimeric protein comprising an amino acid sequence of:

(i) a growth factor, or at least a domain of a growth factor which is capable of binding a cognate growth factor receptor; and

(ii) vitronectin (VN) or fibronectin (FN), or at least an integrin-binding domain of VN or FN.

Preferably, according to the aforementioned aspects the growth factor is IGF-I or IGF-II.

More preferably, the growth factor is IGF-I.

In embodiments where the growth factor is IGF-I, suitably said at least a domain of IGF-I includes residue 24 of IGF-I.

In embodiments where the growth factor is IGF-II, suitably said at least a domain of IGF-II includes residue 27 of IGF-II.

In alternative embodiments, the growth factor is VEGF or PDGF.

Preferably, in embodiments relating to VN, the integrin receptor is an α_(v) integrin.

More preferably, the integrin receptor is an α_(v)β₃ integrin or an α_(v)β₅ integrin.

Preferably, in embodiments relating to FN, the integrin receptor is an α₁ or an α₄ integrin.

This aspect of the invention also includes within its scope amino acid deletions, additions, substitutions and/or mutations of amino acid sequences corresponding to (i) and (ii) above.

In a third aspect, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding the isolated protein complex of the second aspect.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a genetic construct comprising the isolated nucleic acid of the third aspect operably linked to one or more regulatory sequences in an expression vector.

Preferably, the genetic construct is an expression construct.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a host cell comprising the genetic construct of the fourth aspect.

In sixth aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the isolated protein complex of the first aspect or the synthetic protein of the second aspect and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

This aspect of the invention also contemplates a pharmaceutical composition comprising the host cell of the fifth aspect, which cell expresses said synthetic protein(s).

In a seventh aspect, the invention provides an antibody specific for the synthetic protein of the second aspect.

In an eighth aspect, the invention provides a method of promoting cell migration including the step of using a synthetic protein to bind both a growth factor receptor and an integrin receptor.

Preferably, the growth factor receptor is IGF-IR.

Preferably, in embodiments relating to VN, the integrin receptor is an α_(v) integrin.

More preferably, the integrin receptor is an α_(v)β₃ integrin or an α_(v)β₅ integrin.

Preferably, in embodiments relating to FN, the integrin receptor is an α₁ or an α₄ integrin.

In a preferred embodiment, this aspect of the invention relates to promotion or induction of epithelial cell migration and/or proliferation to facilitate wound healing in mammals, preferably humans.

Preferably, said synthetic protein is as according to the first aspect of the invention.

In an ninth aspect, the invention provides a method of preventing cell migration and/or proliferation, including the step of preventing, inhibiting or otherwise reducing binding of both a growth factor receptor and an integrin receptor by a complex comprising a growth factor and vitronectin or fibronectin.

Preferably, the growth factor receptor is IGF-IR.

Preferably, in embodiments relating to VN, the integrin receptor is an α_(v) integrin.

More preferably, the integrin receptor is an α_(v)β₃ integrin or an α_(v)β₅ integrin.

Preferably, in embodiments relating to FN, the integrin receptor is an α₁ or an α₄ integrin.

In a preferred embodiment, this aspect of the invention relates to prevention or inhibition of metastatic cancer cell migration and/or proliferation in mammals, preferably humans.

A particular example contemplated by this aspect of the invention is prevention or inhibition of breast cancer metastasis.

It will also be appreciated that the methods of the eighth and ninth aspects may encompass prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treatment.

In a tenth aspect, the invention provides use of the isolated protein complex of the first aspect or the synthetic protein of the second aspect to produce a molecule that:

(i) is an agonist of protein complexes comprising a growth factor and vitronectin or fibronectin; or

(ii) is an antagonist of protein complexes comprising a growth factor and vitronectin or fibronectin.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides use of the synthetic protein of the first aspect to produce a molecule that:

(i) is an agonist of IGF-II:VN or IGF-I:IGFBP:VN protein complexes;

(ii) is an antagonist of IGF-II:VN or IGF-I:IGFBP:VN protein complexes;

(iii) is an agonist of IGF-II:FN or IGF-I:IGFBP:FN protein complexes; or

(iv) is an antagonist of IGF-II:FN or IGF-I:IGFBP:FN protein complexes.

Agonists and/or antagonists produced according to this aspect of the invention may have particular efficacy in promoting wound healing, tissue engineering, skin regeneration and/or prevention of cancer cell metastasis or hyperproliferative disorders of the skin such as scarring and psoriasis.

In an eleventh aspect, the invention provides a biomaterial that comprises the isolated protein complex of the first or second aspect.

In particular embodiments the biomaterial may be a surgical implant, prosthesis, scaffold, wound or burn dressing or the like suitably impregnated, coated or otherwise comprising an isolated protein complex of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND TABLES

FIG. 1 Migration of HaCAT human skin keratinocyte cells seeded into the upper chamber of 12 μm pore Transwells™ to the lower surface, in response to the lower chamber being coated with IGF-II prebound to VN (black bars), or IGF-II “bound” to the dishes in the absence of VN (grey bars). Each bar represents the average number of cells on the lower membrane after 5 hours incubation and are obtained from three replicate experiments in which treatments were analyzed in triplicate wells.

FIG. 2 Migration of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells seeded into the upper chamber of 12 μm pore Transwells™ to the lower surface, in response to the lower chamber being coated with IGF-II prebound to VN (striped bars), or IGF-II “bound” to the dishes in the absence of VN (white bars). Each bar represents the average number of cells on the lower membrane after 5 hours incubation and are obtained from three replicate experiments in which treatments were analyzed in triplicate wells. Data points where the effect of the complex is significantly different to that of VN alone are indicated by an asterisk

FIG. 3 Migration of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells seeded into the upper chamber of 12 μm pore Transwells™ to the lower chamber that had been coated with VN, native IGF-II bound to VN (striped bars) or L²⁷-IGF-II bound to VN (black bars). Each data point is paired with a VN free control (white bars) containing the same amount of IGF-II in the absence of VN. Each bar represents the average number of cells on the lower membrane after 5 hours incubation obtained from two replicate experiments in which treatments were analyzed in triplicate wells.

FIG. 4 Migration of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells seeded into the upper chamber of 12 um pore Transwells™ to the lower chamber that had been prebound with VN only, native IGF-II bound to VN (striped bars) or Des(1-6) IGF-II bound to VN (black bars). Each data point is paired with a VN free control (white bars) containing the same amount of IGF-II in the absence of VN. Each bar represents the average number of cells on the lower membrane after 5 hours incubation obtained from two replicate experiments in which treatments were analyzed in triplicate wells.

FIG. 5 Migration of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells through Transwells™ in response to IGF-II in the presence of mAb2021Z, an α_(v) function blocking Ab. MCF-7 cells that had been treated with the α_(v) function blocking Ab were seeded onto Transwells™ that had been coated with VN+/−IGF-II and allowed to migrate through the porous membrane for five hours. The number of cells transversing the membrane were then determined by extracting the stain from the fixed cells and reading optical density. Treatments were then expressed as a percentage of cells migrating on VN alone in the presence or absence of Ab. The data was pooled from quadruplicate treatments of a single experiment. Bars, SEM. Asterisk indicates significant differences between treatments of the untreated or Ab treated cells with the Ab (P<0.1).

FIG. 6 Migration of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells seeded into the upper chamber of 12 μm pore Transwells™ to the lower chamber that had been coated with VN (white bar); VN+IGFBP-5 (grey bar); native IGF-I+VN (lighter solid bar), or native IGF-I+IGFBP-5+VN (darker solid bar); L²⁴-IGF-I+VN (left striped bar) or L²⁴-IGF-I+IGFBP-5+VN (right striped bar). Each bar represents the average number of cells on the lower membrane after 5 hours incubation obtained from two replicate experiments in which treatments were analyzed in triplicate wells.

FIG. 7 The amino acid sequence of vitronectin (SEQ ID NO:1), including residue references for the various domains within vitronectin, as well as residue modification sites, ligand binding sites and protease recognition sites.

FIG. 8 The structural relationship of (a) full-length VN (75 kDa) and (b) yolk VN (54 kDa) showing ligand binding sites. Both mammalian and avian serum VN have the same domain structure, however, there are differences in the amino acid sequence. Yolk VN (54 kDa) is a truncated form of these proteins. The abbreviations used are: Som B, Somatomedin B; Connecting, Connecting domain; Hemopexin, Hemopexin-like repeat; HBD, Heparin binding domain; PAI-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; uPAR, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor; TAT, thrombin-antithrombin III complex; uPA, urokinase plasminogen activator; −−−, polyanionic region (basic region); +++, polycationic region (acidic region).

FIG. 9 Purification of 54 kDa yolk VN from chicken egg yolk. SDS-PAGE analysis of protein sample loaded onto Q-Sepharose matrix (lane L) and the purified product eluted (lane E). Lane M indicates molecular weight markers (BioRad Low Range Markers) (BioRad, Richmond, Calif., USA). Pre-cast polyacrylamide 4-20% gradient gels (Gradipore, Frenchs Forest, NSW, Australia) were used to analyse the proteins.

FIG. 10 Solid plate binding assay assessing the ability of [¹²⁵I]-IGF-I/IGFBP-3 to bind to the purified VNs. The solid plate binding assay was carried out as previously described by Kricker, et al., 2003 Endocrinology 144 2807-2815. Briefly, purified VNs were pre-coated to Immulon 96 well plates at 4° C. overnight. Radiolabelled IGF-I/IGFBP-3 complexes were then added and allowed to bind to the VN overnight after which unbound material was removed. Binding of [¹²⁵I]-IGF-I/IGFBP-3 to VN bound to the wells was determined in a γ-counter (n=18). Human VN: VN purified from human serum; Yolk VN 75: purified 75 kDa yolk VN; Yolk VN 54: purified 54 kDa yolk VN.

FIG. 11 Cell Growth Assay (MTT) (48 hr): HaCAT cell growth in response IGF:VN complexes. The IGF:VN complexes were pre-coated to wells with HaCAT cells seeded and allowed to grow for 48 hr. After this time they were assessed for cell growth by metabolic activity using the MTT method (Denizot & Lang, 1986 The Journal of Immunological Methods 89 271-277) (n=3). Human VN: VN purified from human serum; Yolk VN 75: purified 75 kDa yolk VN; Yolk VN 54: purified 54 kDa yolk VN; IGF-I/BP3: Insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3.

FIG. 12 Transwell™ migration assay (5 hr): HaCAT migration in response to IGF:VN complexes. HaCAT cells were seeded into a Transwell™ coated with IGF-I:IGFBP-3:VN complexes and allowed to migrate for 5 hr as described previously (Kricker, et al., 2003, supra). Cells which had migrated were stained with crystal violet and optical density read at 595 nm Each treatment was completed in duplicate (n=2). Human VN: VN purified from human serum; Yolk VN 75: purified 75 kDa yolk VN; Yolk VN 54: purified 54 kDa yolk VN; IGF-I/BP3: Insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3.

FIG. 13 Amino acid sequence of (A) the mature vitronectin protein (SEQ ID NO:2), (B) IGF-I (SEQ ID NO:3) and (C) preferred linker sequences (SEQ ID NOS:4-8).

FIGS. 14A-N Amino acid sequences of embodiments of IGF-I and VN-containing chimeric proteins (SEQ ID NOS: 9-22).

FIG. 15 Amino acid sequences of embodiments of (A) PDGF and VN containing chimeric-protein (SEQ ID NO:23) and (B) VEGF and VN-containing chimeric protein (SEQ ID NO:24).

FIG. 16 Amino acid sequence of mature human fibronectin (FN) (SEQ ID NO:25).

FIG. 17 IGF-I, IGFBP and FN protein complexes stimulate breast cancer cell migration. MCF-10A cells were seeded onto Transwells that had been coated with FN (1 μg/mL) and increasing concentrations of IGF-I prebound in the presence of IGFBP-3 or -5. The cells where allowed to migrate for 5 hours. The number of cells traversing the membrane in response to each treatment was then expressed as a percentage of those that migrated on FN only (SFM). MCF-10 data are pooled from three experiments with treatments tested in four wells in each replicate experiment. Error bars indicate SEM. SFM=Serum-free media.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has arisen from the discovery that protein complexes comprising IGF-II and VN or IGF-I and IGFBP and VN bind and exert their biological effect on cell migration through the IGF-IR receptor and the VN-binding integrin receptor expressed by responsive cells. More particularly, this dual binding event synergistically stimulates cell migration and/or proliferation, as has been shown by the present inventors in both a keratinocyte model and a breast cancer cell model.

Furthermore, it has surprisingly been discovered that the domain of VN which appears to interact or bind with IGF-II and IGFBPs is a polyanionic region corresponding to amino acids 53-64 of mature VN.

This discovery has led the present inventors to provide an isolated protein complex that comprises at least the minimal domain or region of IGF-I or IGF-II capable of binding the IGF-IR in combination with the integrin-binding domain of VN. Even more particularly, a single, contiguous protein may be produced which comprises these domains.

Such protein complexes, whether comprising multiple proteins or in the form of a single synthetic protein, are expected to coordinately bind or co-ligate the IGF-IR and the VN-binding integrin receptor and thereby be a useful agent for the promotion of cell migration and/or proliferation and wound healing. Analogously, it is proposed by the present inventors that prevention of the IGF-IR and the VN-binding integrin receptor co-ligation could be used to prevent cancer cell metastasis. It is also proposed that this discovery may be extendible to protein complexes comprising other growth factors such as PDGF and VEGF, although without limitation thereto, and to other integrin-binding proteins such as fibronectin (FN).

In this regard, the present inventors have shown that isolated protein complexes comprising IGF-I, IGFBPs and FN stimulate cell migration.

Throughout this specification, unless otherwise indicated, “comprise”, “comprises” and “comprising” are used inclusively rather than exclusively, so that a stated integer or group of integers may include one or more other non-stated integers or groups of integers.

In the particular context of growth factor receptor-binding domains and integrin-binding domains, such a domain will comprise an amino acid sequence of the domain, together with other, additional amino acids as desired.

It will be understood also that such a domain may “consist essentially of” the amino acid sequence of the domain, together with no more than ten, preferably no more than five or even more preferably no more than four, three, two or one additional amino acids.

It will be understood also that such a domain may “consist of” the amino acid sequence of the domain, in the absence of any additional amino acids.

For the purposes of this invention, by “isolated” is meant material that has been removed from its natural state or otherwise been subjected to human manipulation. Isolated material may be substantially or essentially free from components that normally accompany it in its natural state, or may be manipulated so as to be in an artificial state together with components that normally accompany it in its natural state. Isolated material may be in native, chemical synthetic or recombinant form.

As used herein, by “synthetic” is meant not naturally occurring but made through human technical intervention. In the context of synthetic proteins and nucleic acids, this encompasses molecules produced by recombinant, chemical synthetic or combinatorial techniques as are well understood in the art.

By “protein” is meant an amino acid polymer. The amino acids may be natural or non-natural amino acids, D- or L-amino acids as are well understood in the art. The term “protein” also includes and encompasses such terms as “glycoprotein”, “lipoprotein” and the like, as are commonly used in the art.

A “peptide” is a protein having less than fifty (50) amino acids.

A “polypeptide” is a protein having fifty (50) or more amino acids.

As hereinbefore described, the present invention provides, in one particular aspect, an isolated protein complex comprising:

(i) a growth factor or at least a domain of a growth factor which is capable of binding a cognate growth factor receptor; and

(ii) at least an integrin-binding domain of vitronectin or fibronectin.

As used herein, a “growth factor” is a biologically active protein that is capable of regulating cell growth, differentiation, survival and/or migration in vitro and/or in vivo.

Preferably, the growth factor is selected from the group consisting of IGF-I, IGF-II, VEGF and PDGF.

More preferably, the growth factor is selected from IGF-I and IGF-II.

However, the invention also contemplates other biologically active proteins that regulate cell growth, differentiation, survival and/or migration such as epidermal growth factor (EGF; Heldin et al., 1981, Science 4 1122-1123), fibroblast growth factor (FGF; Nurcombe et al., 2000, J. Biol. Chem. 275 30009-30018), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; Taraboletti et al., 1997, Cell Growth. Differ. 8 471-479), osteopontin (Nam et al., 2000, Endocrinol. 141 1100), thrombospondin-1 (Nam et al., 2000, supra), tenascin-C (Arai et al., 1996, J. Biol. Chem. 271 6099), PAI-1 (Nam et al., 1997, Endocrinol. 138 2972), plasminogen (Campbell et al., 1998, Am. J. Physiol. 275 E321), fibrinogen (Campbell et al., 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274 30215), fibrin (Campbell et al., 1999, supra) or transferrin (Weinzimer et al., 2001, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 86 1806).

Isolated protein complexes of the invention comprise a growth factor or at least a domain of a growth factor of a growth factor which is capable of binding a cognate growth factor receptor.

In this context, by “domain” is meant at least that portion or region of a growth factor that is capable of binding a cognate growth factor receptor. Typically, although not exclusively, the cognate growth factor receptor is expressed by a cell and binding or ligation of said cognate growth factor receptor by said at least a domain of a growth factor elicits a cellular response such as cell growth, differentiation, survival and/or migration.

With particular regard to IGF-I, said domain suitably comprises amino acid residue 24, which is not a leucine residue.

Typically, said residue is tyrosine.

With particular regard to IGF-II, said domain suitably comprises amino acid residue 27, which is not a leucine residue.

Typically, said residue is tyrosine.

With particular regard to IGF-I, in one embodiment said domain consists of residues 1 to 70 of IGF-I.

In another embodiment, said domain consists of residues 4 to 70 of IGF-I.

It will also be understood that another component of isolated protein complexes of the invention is at least an integrin-binding domain of vitronectin or fibronectin.

Preferably, in embodiments relating to VN, the integrin receptor is an α_(v) integrin.

More preferably, the integrin receptor is an α_(v)β₃ integrin or an α_(v)β₅ integrin.

Preferably, in embodiments relating to FN, the integrin receptor is an α₁ or an α₄ integrin.

As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the present inventors show that the HBD of VN is not required for the full biological activity of isolated protein complexes.

Further to this, the present inventors have shown that isolated protein complexes comprising IGF-I, IGFBPs and FN stimulate cell migration.

It will be readily appreciated from the foregoing that isolated protein complexes of the invention may be in the form of non-covalently associated oligo-protein complexes, oligo-protein complexes that have been covalently cross-linked (reversibly or irreversibly) or in the form of synthetic, chimeric proteins.

Accordingly, in a particular aspect the invention provides an isolated protein complex in the form of a synthetic chimeric protein comprising an amino acid sequence of:

(i) a growth factor, or at least a domain of a growth factor which is capable of binding a cognate growth factor receptor; and

(ii) vitronectin (VN) or fibronectin (FN), or at least an integrin-binding domain of VN or FN.

As used herein, a “chimeric protein”, comprises a contiguous sequence of amino acids derived from an integrin-receptor binding domain of VN or FN and a growth factor or at least a receptor-binding domain of a growth factor.

Although not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is proposed that synthetic chimeric proteins may be able to co-ligate and co-activate a cognate receptor for said growth factor and an integrin receptor for VN or FN to thereby stimulate, induce, augment or otherwise promote cell migration.

An advantage of chimeric proteins according to the invention is that they are readily produced by chemical synthetic or recombinant means and are expected to be more stable in vivo, as they do not rely on maintaining the protein-protein interactions that are required in non-covalent oligo-protein complexes.

In this regard, although isolated protein complexes that comprise receptor binding domains of IGF-I would also comprise an IGFBP, it is proposed that according to the aforementioned mode of action, an IGFBP is preferably not present in an IGF-I/VN or in an IGF-I/FN synthetic chimera.

Also with regard to VN, as will be described in more detail hereinafter, the present inventors show that it is most likely the polyanionic region of VN that is required for interaction with IGF-II or IGF-I/IGFBP complexes.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the polyanionic region is residues 53-64 of the mature VN sequence (SEQ ID NO:2).

In light of the foregoing, the present invention contemplates embodiments of synthetic chimeric proteins that do not include the HBD and/or the polyanionic region of VN.

With regard to VN proteins and amino acid sequences thereof that do not include the HBD and/or the polyanionic region, these may be naturally occurring proteins such as the 54 kD chicken yolk VN (lacking a HBD) or may be engineered by deletion, mutation or truncation of a VN protein or amino acid sequence so that the HBD and/or the polyanionic region are absent or at least substantially non-functional.

Techniques such as proteolytic digestion and site directed mutagenesis may be utilized for this purpose, as are well understood in the art.

In particular embodiments, said at least an integrin-binding domain of VN has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(i) amino acid residues 1 to 459 of VN;

(ii) amino acid residues 1 to 379 of VN;

(iii) amino acid residues 1 to 130 of VN; and

(iv) amino acid residues 1 to 52 of VN.

Additional amino acid sequences which also may be included are selected from the group consisting of:

(v) amino acid residues 65 to 459 of VN;

(vi) amino acid residues 347 to 459 of VN; and

(vii) amino acid residues 347 to 379 of VN.

The aforementioned sequences may be used in combination, for example amino acid residues 1 to 130 of VN and amino acid residues 347 to 459 of VN or amino acid residues 1 to 52 of VN and amino acid residues 65 to 459 of VN.

Particular, non-limiting examples of chimeric proteins comprising IGF-1 and VN are set forth in FIGS. 14A-N.

Furthermore, particular non-limiting examples of chimeric proteins comprising VEGF and VN or PDGF and VN are set forth in FIG. 15.

In other embodiments, the invention provides isolated protein complexes, such as in the form of synthetic chimeric proteins, comprising IGF-I or IGF-II and FN, or a fragment of FN that comprises at least an integrin-binding domain of FN.

Preferably, in embodiments relating to FN, the integrin receptor is an α₁ or an α₄ integrin receptor.

In this context, by “fragment” is meant a domain, sub-sequence or portion of FN. The fragment preferably constitutes less than 500, less than 400, less than 300 or more preferably about 80-280 contiguous amino acids of a mature FN sequence.

The integrin binding domain of FN suitably comprises an RGD sequence. The RGD sequence is located in fibronectin type III domains 8 to 10 (amino acids 1299-1572 of a mature FN sequence). More specifically, the RGD sequence is present in the fibronectin type III domain defined by amino acids 1479-1572 of the mature FN sequence, although secondary integrin-binding sites may be present across the larger 8 to 10 domain region.

Accordingly, in one particular embodiment, the synthetic chimera comprises an FN fragment comprising an RGD sequence, wherein the fragment comprises or consists of at least 6, at least 10, at least 20, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80 at least 90 or all of amino acids 1479-1572 of a mature FN amino acid sequence.

In another particular embodiment, the synthetic chimera comprises an FN fragment comprising an RGD sequence, said fragment comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence of at least 6, at least 10 at least 20, at least 50, at least 100, at least 150, at least 200, at least 250, at least 260 or all of amino acids 1299-1572 of a mature FN amino acid sequence.

In yet another particular embodiment, the synthetic chimera comprises an FN fragment comprising an RGD sequence according to the aforementioned embodiments, wherein said synthetic chimera further comprises at least 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, 800 or 1000 of amino acid of a mature FN amino acid sequence, for example N-terminal of residues 1299 and/or C-terminal of residue 1572.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing FN sequence numbering is made with reference to the mature FN sequence shown in FIG. 16. This FN sequence is derived from the UniProtKB Protein Database, protein accession number P02751. The mature form numbering takes into account the cleavage of the signal peptide.

Preferably, synthetic chimeras comprising FN or a fragment comprising an integrin binding domain do not comprise an IGFBP amino acid sequence.

Preferably, synthetic chimeric proteins as hereinbefore described further comprise a “linker sequence” located between and contiguous with a growth factor sequence and a VN or FN amino acid sequence.

In one embodiment, said linker sequence comprises one or more glycine residues and one or more serine residues.

Particular examples of linker sequences may be selected from; Gly₄ Ser (SEQ ID NO:4); Gly₄ Ser₃ (SEQ ID NO:5) and (Gly₄ Ser)₃ (SEQ ID NO:6), although without limitation thereto.

In another embodiment, the linker sequence includes a Plasmin Cleavage Recognition Site, such as according to the sequence:

-   -   Leu Ile Lys Met Lys Pro (SEQ ID NO:7)

In yet another embodiment, the linker sequence includes a Collagenase-3 Cleavage Recognition Site, such as according to the sequence:

-   -   Gln Pro Gln Gly Leu Ala Lys (SEQ ID NO:8)

The invention also extends to use of biologically-active fragments of the synthetic chimeric proteins of the invention and/or to use of biologically-active fragments of the particular growth factor receptor-binding domains and integrin binding domains exemplified herein.

In one embodiment, said “biologically-active fragment” has no less than 10%, preferably no less than 25%, more preferably no less than 50% and even more preferably no less than 75, 80, 85, 90 or 95% of a biological activity of a protein from which it is derived.

In another embodiment, said “biologically-active fragment” has no less than 10%, preferably no less than 25%, more preferably no less than 50% and even more preferably no less than 75, 80, 85, 90 or 95% of a contiguous amino acid sequence of a protein from which it is derived.

Specific examples of biologically active fragments of VN, for example lacking a HBD and/or polyanionic domain, are provided herein in FIGS. 14A-N.

Also contemplated are variant protein complexes of the invention.

Typically, and in relation to proteins, a “variant” protein has one or more amino acids that have been replaced by different amino acids. It is well understood in the art that some amino acids may be changed to others with broadly similar properties without changing the nature of the activity of the protein (conservative substitutions).

It will be appreciated that one or more amino acid residues of a reference sequence, such as a growth factor, receptor-binding domain of a growth factor, an integrin-binding domain of VN or FN, IGFBPs or one or more corresponding residues present in a synthetic chimeric protein, may be modified or deleted, or additional sequences added, without substantially altering the biological activity of the isolated protein complex of the invention.

Specific mutations in mature VN (SEQ ID NO:2) that are contemplated by the present invention include: (i) T50A; (ii) T57A; (iii) T50E; (iv) T57E; (v) S378E; (vi) S378A; and (v) S362E.

In one embodiment, a protein variant shares at least 70%, preferably at least 80% and more preferably at least 90%, 95%, 98% or 99% sequence identity with a reference amino acid sequence.

Preferably, sequence identify is measured over at least 60%, more preferably over at least 75%, more preferably over at least 90% or more preferably over at least 95%, 98% or substantially the full length of the reference sequence.

In order to determine percent sequence identity, optimal alignment of amino acid and/or nucleotide sequences may be conducted by computerised implementations of algorithms (Geneworks program by Intelligenetics; GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package Release 7.0, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Drive Madison, Wis., USA, incorporated herein by reference) or by inspection and the best alignment (i.e., resulting in the highest percentage homology over the comparison window) generated by any of the various methods selected. Reference also may be made to the BLAST family of programs as for example disclosed by Altschul et al., 1997, Nucl. Acids Res. 25 3389, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In another example, “sequence identity” may be understood to mean the “match percentage” calculated by the DNASIS computer program (Version 2.5 for windows; available from Hitachi Software engineering Co., Ltd., South San Francisco, Calif., USA).

A detailed discussion of sequence analysis can be found in Unit 19.3 of CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Eds. Ausubel et al. (John Wiley & Sons Inc NY, 1995-1999).

The invention also contemplates derivatives of a receptor-binding domain of a growth factor, an integrin-binding domain of VN or FN, or an isolated protein complex comprising same.

As used herein, “derivative” proteins of the invention have been altered, for example by addition, conjugation or complexing with other chemical moieties or by post-translational modification techniques as are well understood in the art.

“Additions” of amino acids may include fusion of the polypeptides or variants thereof with other polypeptides or proteins. The other protein may, by way of example, assist in the purification of the protein. For instance, these include a polyhistidine tag, maltose binding protein, green fluorescent protein (GFP), Protein A or glutathione S-transferase (GST).

Other derivatives contemplated by the invention include, but are not limited to, modification to side chains, incorporation of unnatural amino acids and/or their derivatives during peptide, polypeptide or protein synthesis and the use of crosslinkers and other methods which impose conformational constraints on the polypeptides, fragments and variants of the invention. Examples of side chain modifications contemplated by the present invention include modifications of amino groups such as by acylation with acetic anhydride; acylation of amino groups with succinic anhydride and tetrahydrophthalic anhydride; amidination with methylacetimidate; carbamoylation of amino groups with cyanate; pyridoxylation of lysine with pyridoxal-5-phosphate followed by reduction with NaBH₄; reductive alkylation by reaction with an aldehyde followed by reduction with NaBH₄; and trinitrobenzylation of amino groups with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS).

The carboxyl group may be modified by carbodiimide activation via O-acylisourea formation followed by subsequent derivitization, by way of example, to a corresponding amide.

The guanidine group of arginine residues may be modified by formation of heterocyclic condensation products with reagents such as 2,3-butanedione, phenylglyoxal and glyoxal.

Sulphydryl groups may be modified by methods such as performic acid oxidation to cysteic acid; formation of mercurial derivatives using 4-chloromercuriphenylsulphonic acid, 4-chloromercuribenzoate; 2-chloromercuri-4-nitrophenol, phenylmercury chloride, and other mercurials; formation of a mixed disulphides with other thiol compounds; reaction with maleimide, maleic anhydride or other substituted maleimide; carboxymethylation with iodoacetic acid or iodoacetamide; and carbamoylation with cyanate at alkaline pH.

Tryptophan residues may be modified, for example, by alkylation of the indole ring with 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide or sulphonyl halides or by oxidation with N-bromosuccinimide.

Tyrosine residues may be modified by nitration with tetranitromethane to form a 3-nitrotyrosine derivative.

The imidazole ring of a histidine residue may be modified by N-carbethoxylation with diethylpyrocarbonate or by alkylation with iodoacetic acid derivatives.

Examples of incorporating non-natural amino acids and derivatives during peptide synthesis include but are not limited to, use of 4-amino butyric acid, 6-aminohexanoic acid, 4-amino-3-hydroxy-5-phenylpentanoic acid, 4-amino-3-hydroxy-6-methylheptanoic acid, t-butylglycine, norleucine, norvaline, phenylglycine, ornithine, sarcosine, 2-thienyl alanine and/or D-isomers of amino acids.

An example of methods suitable for chemical derivatization of proteins is provided in Chapter 15 of CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN PROTEIN SCIENCE Eds. Coligan et. al., John Wiley & Sons NY (1995-2001).

Isolated protein complexes, and individual protein components thereof, (inclusive of fragments, variants, derivatives and homologs) may be prepared by any suitable procedure known to those of skill in the art.

In one embodiment, proteins of the invention are produced by chemical synthesis. Chemical synthesis techniques are well known in the art, although the skilled person may refer to Chapter 18 of CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN PROTEIN SCIENCE Eds. Coligan et. al., John Wiley & Sons NY (1995-2001) for examples of suitable methodology.

In another embodiment, proteins may be prepared as a recombinant protein.

Production of recombinant proteins is well known in the art, the skilled person may refer to standard protocols as for example described in Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING. A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Press, 1989), incorporated herein by reference, in particular Sections 16 and 17; CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Eds. Ausubel et al., (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1995-1999), incorporated herein by reference, in particular Chapters 10 and 16; and CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN PROTEIN SCIENCE Eds. Coligan et al., (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1995-1999) which is incorporated by reference herein, in particular Chapters 1, 5 and 6.

In one embodiment, a recombinant protein is produced by a method including the steps of:

-   -   (i) preparing an expression construct which comprises a nucleic         acid encoding said protein, operably linked to one or more         regulatory nucleotide sequences in an expression vector;     -   (ii) transfecting or transforming a host cell with the         expression construct; and     -   (iii) expressing the recombinant protein in said host cell.

An “expression vector” may be either a self-replicating extra-chromosomal vector such as a plasmid, or a vector that integrates into a host genome.

By “operably linked” or “operably connected” is meant that said regulatory nucleotide sequence(s) is/are positioned relative to the recombinant nucleic acid of the invention to initiate, regulate or otherwise control transcription of the nucleic acid, or translation of a protein encoded by the nucleic acid.

Regulatory nucleotide sequences will generally be appropriate for the host cell used for expression. Numerous types of appropriate expression vectors and suitable regulatory sequences are known in the art for a variety of host cells.

Typically, said one or more regulatory nucleotide sequences may include, but are not limited to, promoter sequences, leader or signal sequences, ribosomal binding sites, transcriptional start and termination sequences, translational start and termination sequences, splice donor/acceptor sequences and enhancer or activator sequences.

Constitutive promoters (such as CMV, RSV, adenovirus, SV40 and human elongation factor promoters) and inducible/repressible promoters (such as tet-repressible promoters and IPTG-, metallothionine- or ecdysone-inducible promoters) are well known in the art and are contemplated by the invention. It will also be appreciated that promoters may be hybrid promoters that combine elements of more than one promoter.

The expression construct may also include a fusion partner (typically provided by the expression vector) so that the recombinant protein of the invention is expressed as a fusion polypeptide with said fusion partner. The main advantage of fusion partners is that they assist identification and/or purification of said fusion protein.

Well known examples of fusion partners include, but are not limited to, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), Fc portion of human IgG, maltose binding protein (MBP) and hexahistidine (HIS₆), which are particularly useful for isolation of the fusion protein by affinity chromatography. For the purposes of fusion protein purification by affinity chromatography, relevant matrices for affinity chromatography are glutathione-, amylose-, and nickel- or cobalt-conjugated resins respectively. Many such matrices are available in “kit” form, such as the QIAexpress™ system (Qiagen) useful with (HIS₆) fusion partners and the Pharmacia GST purification system.

In some cases, the fusion partners also have protease cleavage sites, such as for Factor X_(a) or Thrombin, which allow the relevant protease to partially digest the fusion protein of the invention and thereby liberate the recombinant polypeptide of the invention therefrom. The liberated protein can then be isolated from the fusion partner by subsequent chromatographic separation.

Fusion partners according to the invention also include within their scope “epitope tags”, which are usually short peptide sequences for which a specific antibody is available. Well known examples of epitope tags for which specific monoclonal antibodies are readily available include c-myc, haemagglutinin and FLAG tags.

Suitable host cells for expression may be prokaryotic or eukaryotic, such as Escherichia coli (DH5α for example), yeast cells, Sf9 cells utilized with a baculovirus expression system, CHO cells, COS, CV-1, NIH 3T3 and 293 cells, although without limitation thereto.

Expression constructs may also include one or more selection marker nucleotide sequences that confer transformed host cell resistance to a selection agent. Selection markers useful for the purposes of selection of transformed bacteria include bla, kanR and tetR while transformed eukaryotic cells may be selected by markers such as hygromycin, G418 and puromycin, although without limitation thereto.

With regard to introducing genetic material into host cells, the terms “transforming” and “transfecting” are used generally to describe introduction of genetic material into a host cell. There are many well known methods for introducing foreign genetic material into a host cell including but not limited to calcium phosphate precipitation, electroporation, delivery by lipofectamine, lipofectin and other lipophilic agents, calcium phosphate precipitation, DEAE-Dextran transfection, microparticle bombardment, microinjection and protoplast fusion.

Isolated Nucleic Acids

The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid that encodes a synthetic chimeric protein of the invention, including variants and homologs thereof.

The term “nucleic acid” as used herein designates single- or double-stranded mRNA, RNA, cRNA, RNAi and DNA inclusive of cDNA and genomic DNA and DNA-RNA hybrids.

A “polynucleotide” is a nucleic acid having eighty (80) or more contiguous nucleotides, while an “oligonucleotide” has less than eighty (80) contiguous nucleotides.

A “probe” may be a single or double-stranded oligonucleotide or polynucleotide, suitably labeled for the purpose of detecting complementary sequences in Northern or Southern blotting, for example.

A “primer” is usually a single-stranded oligonucleotide, preferably having 15-50 contiguous nucleotides, which is capable of annealing to a complementary nucleic acid “template” and being extended in a template-dependent fashion by the action of a DNA polymerase such as Taq polymerase, RNA-dependent DNA polymerase or Sequenase™.

Synthetic nucleic acids of the invention may be produced by chemical synthetic approaches or by recombinant methods that utilize nucleic acid sequence amplification techniques, or a combination thereof, as are well known in the art.

Chemically synthesized primers and oligonucleotides, synthesizers and associated technologies useful according to the present invention are typically available in most laboratories or may be purchased from commercial sources.

Suitable nucleic acid amplification techniques are well known to the skilled addressee, and include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligase chain reaction (LCR) as for example described in Chapter 15 of Ausubel et al. supra; strand displacement amplification (SDA) as for example described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,252; rolling circle replication (RCR) as for example described in Liu et al., 1996, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 118 1587, International application WO 92/01813 and International Application WO 97/19193; nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) as for example described by Sooknanan et al., 1994, Biotechniques 17 1077; and Q-β replicase amplification as for example described by Tyagi et al., 1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93 5395, although without limitation thereto.

A preferred nucleic acid sequence amplification technique is PCR. As used herein, an “amplification product” refers to a nucleic acid product generated by a nucleic acid amplification technique.

In producing and expressing nucleic acids of the invention, it will also be appreciated that advantage may be taken with respect to codon sequence redundancy, such that the nucleic acids exemplified herein may be readily modified without changing an amino acid sequence encoded thereby.

In particular embodiments, nucleic acids may be optimized according to preferred “codon usage” of a host cell to be used for recombinant expression, as is well known in the art. This can effectively “tailor” a nucleic acid for optimal expression in a particular organism, or cells thereof, where preferential codon usage affects protein expression.

Therefore, the invention includes synthetic nucleic acids that are homologous to the nucleic acids exemplified herein.

In one embodiment, nucleic acid homologs share at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, and even more preferably at least 95% sequence identity with a nucleic acid encoding any one of the synthetic chimeric protein constructs described herein.

Preferably, sequence identify is measured over at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, 95% or advantageously over substantially the full length of the encoding nucleic acid of the invention.

In another embodiment, nucleic acid homologs hybridize to a nucleic acid encoding any one of the synthetic chimeric protein constructs described herein under high stringency conditions.

“Hybridize and Hybridization” is used herein to denote the pairing of at least partly complementary nucleotide sequences to produce a DNA-DNA, RNA-RNA or DNA-RNA duplex. Hybridized sequences occur through base-pairing between complementary purines and pyrimidines as is well known in the art.

In this regard, it will be appreciated that modified purines (for example, inosine, methylinosine and methyladenosine) and modified pyrimidines (thiouridine and methylcytosine) may also engage in base pairing.

“Stringency” as used herein, refers to temperature and ionic strength conditions, and presence or absence of certain organic solvents and/or detergents during hybridisation. The higher the stringency, the higher will be the required level of complementarity between hybridizing nucleotide sequences.

“Stringent conditions” designates those conditions under which only nucleic acid having a high frequency of complementary bases will hybridize.

Reference herein to high stringency conditions includes and encompasses:

(i) from at least about 31% v/v to at least about 50% v/v formamide and from at least about 0.01 M to at least about 0.15 M salt for hybridisation at 42° C., and at least about 0.01 M to at least about 0.15 M salt for washing at 42° C.;

(ii) 1% BSA, 1 mM EDTA, 0.5 M NaHPO₄ (pH 7.2), 7% SDS for hybridization at 65° C., and (a) 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS; or (b) 0.5% BSA, 1 mM EDTA, 40 mM NaHPO₄ (pH 7.2), 1% SDS for washing at a temperature in excess of 65° C. for about one hour; and

(iii) 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS for washing at or above 68° C. for about 20 minutes.

In general, washing is carried out at T_(m)=69.3+0.41 (G+C) %−12° C. In general, the T_(m) of a duplex DNA decreases by about 1° C. with every increase of 1% in the number of mismatched bases.

Notwithstanding the above, stringent conditions are well known in the art, such as described in Chapters 2.9 and 2.10 of. Ausubel et al., supra and in particular at pages 2.9.1 through 2.9.20.

Antibodies

The invention also contemplates antibodies against a synthetic chimeric protein of the invention inclusive of chimeric proteins, or fragments, variants and/or derivatives thereof. Antibodies of the invention may be polyclonal or monoclonal. Well-known protocols applicable to antibody production, purification and use may be found, for example, in Chapter 2 of Coligan et al., CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN IMMUNOLOGY (John Wiley & Sons NY, 1991-1994) and Harlow, E. & Lane, D. Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1988, which are both herein incorporated by reference.

Generally, antibodies of the invention bind to or conjugate with a polypeptide, fragment, variant or derivative of the invention. For example, the antibodies may comprise polyclonal antibodies. Such antibodies may be prepared for example by injecting a polypeptide, fragment, variant or derivative of the invention into a production species, which may include mice or rabbits, to obtain polyclonal antisera. Methods of producing polyclonal antibodies are well known to those skilled in the art. Exemplary protocols which may be used are described for example in Coligan et al., CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN IMMUNOLOGY, supra, and in Harlow & Lane, 1988, supra.

In lieu of the polyclonal antisera obtained in the production species, monoclonal antibodies may be produced using the standard method as for example, described in an article by Köhler & Milstein, 1975, Nature 256, 495, which is herein incorporated by reference, or by more recent modifications thereof as for example, described in Coligan et al., CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN IMMUNOLOGY, supra by immortalizing spleen or other antibody producing cells derived from a production species which has been inoculated with one or more of the polypeptides, fragments, variants or derivatives of the invention.

The invention also includes within its scope antibodies which comprise Fc or Fab fragments of the polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies referred to above. Alternatively, the antibodies may comprise single chain Fv antibodies (scFvs) against the BIXP proteins of the invention. Such scFvs may be prepared, for example, in accordance with the methods described respectively in U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,513, European Patent No. 239,400 or the article by Winter & Milstein, 1991, Nature 349 293, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Labels may be associated with the antibody or antibody fragment.

The label may be selected from a group including a chromogen, a catalyst, an enzyme, a fluorophore, a chemiluminescent molecule, a lanthanide ion such as Europium (Eu³⁴), a radioisotope and a direct visual label. In the case of a direct visual label, use may be made of a colloidal metallic or non-metallic particle, a dye particle, an enzyme or a substrate, an organic polymer, a latex particle, a liposome, or other vesicle containing a signal producing substance and the like.

A large number of enzymes useful as labels is disclosed in United States Patent Specifications U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,241, U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,000, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,338, all of which are herein incorporated by reference. Enzyme labels useful in the present invention include alkaline phosphatase, horseradish peroxidase, luciferase, b-galactosidase, glucose oxidase, lysozyme, malate dehydrogenase and the like. The enzyme label may be used alone or in combination with a second enzyme in solution.

By way of example, the fluorophore may be fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), oregon green, tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITL), allophycocyanin (APC) and R-Phycoerythrin (RPE), although without limitation thereto.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions that comprise an isolated protein complex of the invention, inclusive of variants and derivatives thereof.

Such isolated protein complex may be in any form inclusive of multi-protein complexes formed in vitro or as synthetic chimeric proteins of the invention, although without limitation thereto.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be used to promote or otherwise facilitate cell migration, tissue regeneration and wound healing. Alternatively, pharmaceutical compositions may be administered to prevent tumour metastasis by preventing or inhibiting tumour cell migration to a secondary site.

The composition may be used in therapeutic or prophylactic treatments as required. For example, pharmaceutical compositions may be applied in the form of therapeutic or cosmetic preparations for skin repair, wound healing, healing of burns and other dermatological treatments.

In this regard, pharmaceutical compositions may be administered in association with, or as a component of, a biomaterial, biopolymer, inorganic material such as hydroxyapatite or derivates thereof, surgical implant, prosthesis, wound or burn dressing, compress, bandage or the like suitably impregnated, coated or otherwise comprising the pharmaceutical composition.

Suitably, the pharmaceutical composition comprises an appropriate pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

Preferably, the pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient is suitable for administration to mammals, and more preferably, to humans.

By “pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient” is meant a solid or liquid filler, diluent or encapsulating substance that may be safely used in systemic administration. Depending upon the particular route of administration, a variety of carriers, well known in the art may be used. These carriers may be selected from a group including sugars, starches, cellulose and its derivatives, malt, gelatine, talc, calcium sulfate, vegetable oils, synthetic oils, polyols, alginic acid, phosphate buffered solutions, emulsifiers, isotonic saline and salts such as mineral acid salts including hydrochlorides, bromides and sulfates, organic acids such as acetates, propionates and malonates and pyrogen-free water.

A useful reference describing pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents and excipients is Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Mack Publishing Co. N.J. USA, 1991) which is incorporated herein by reference.

Any safe route of administration may be employed for providing a patient with the composition of the invention. For example, oral, rectal, parenteral, sublingual, buccal, intravenous, intra-articular, intra-muscular, intra-dermal, subcutaneous, inhalational, intraocular, intraperitoneal, intracerebroventricular, transdermal and the like may be employed.

Dosage forms include tablets, dispersions, suspensions, injections, solutions, syrups, troches, capsules, suppositories, aerosols, transdermal patches and the like. These dosage forms may also include injecting or implanting controlled releasing devices designed specifically for this purpose or other forms of implants modified to act additionally in this fashion. Controlled release of the therapeutic agent may be effected by coating the same, for example, with hydrophobic polymers including acrylic resins, waxes, higher aliphatic alcohols, polylactic and polyglycolic acids and certain cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. In addition, the controlled release may be effected by using other polymer matrices, liposomes and/or microspheres.

The above compositions may be administered in a manner compatible with the dosage formulation, and in such amount as is pharmaceutically-effective. The dose administered to a patient, in the context of the present invention, should be sufficient to effect a beneficial response in a patient over an appropriate period of time. The quantity of agent(s) to be administered may depend on the subject to be treated inclusive of the age, sex, weight and general health condition thereof, factors that will depend on the judgement of the practitioner.

With regard to pharmaceutical compositions for wound healing, particular reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,064 and International Publication WO 99/62536 which are incorporated herein by reference.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also include expression vectors such as viral vectors such as vaccinia, and viral vectors useful in gene therapy. The latter include adenovirus and adenovirus-associated viruses (AAV) such as described in Braun-Falco et al., 1999, Gene Ther. 6 432, retroviral and lentiviral vectors such as described in Buchshacher et al., 2000, Blood 95 2499 and vectors derived from herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus. A general overview of viral vectors useful in endocrine gene therapy is provided in Stone et al., 2000, J. Endocrinol. 164 103.

The present invention may also utilize specific expression vectors which target gene expression to epidermal cells, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,764 and for in vivo wound healing applications, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,427.

Therapeutic Uses

The invention provides methods of treatment using isolated protein complexes, inclusive of synthetic chimeric proteins of the invention. These methods are particularly aimed at therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of mammals, and more particularly, humans.

However, therapeutic uses according to the invention may also be applicable to mammals such as domestic and companion animals, performance animals such as horses, camels and greyhounds, livestock, laboratory animals and animals used as sources of cells, organs and tissues for xenotransplantation.

The invention also contemplates methods of cosmetic treatment where isolated protein complexes inclusive of synthetic chimeric proteins of the invention are administered to improve or enhance skin quality or skin appearance.

Such treatments may include prevention or remedediation of skin disorders such as psoriasis and hypertrophic scarring that result from aberrant skin cell proliferation.

Alternatively, methods of treatment are contemplated whereby tumour metastasis is prevented or inhibited by blocking tumour cell migration to a secondary site. In addition, methods of treating cancer by blocking cell proliferation also contemplated.

In particular embodiments, therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatments may utilize an isolated protein complex, inclusive of synthetic chimeric proteins of the invention, in association with, or as a component of, a biomaterial, biopolymer, inorganic material such as fluorohydroxyapatite, surgical implant, prosthesis, wound or burn dressing, compress, bandage or the like suitably impregnated, coated or otherwise comprising the isolated protein complex.

Such methods include administration of pharmaceutical compositions as hereinbefore defined, and may be by way of microneedle injection into specific tissue sites, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,790, topical creams, lotions or sealant dressings applied to wounds, burns or ulcers, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,122 or implants which release the composition such as described in International Publication WO99/47070.

Gene therapy is also applicable in this regard, such as according to methods set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,040 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,427.

There also exist methods by which skin cells can be genetically modified for the purpose of creating skin substitutes, such as by genetically engineering desired growth factor expression (Supp et al., 2000, J. Invest. Dermatol. 114 5). An example of a review of this field is provided in Bevan et al., Biotechnol. Gent. Eng. Rev. 16 231.

Also contemplated is “seeding” a recipient with transfected or transformed cells, such as described in International Publication WO99/11789.

These methods can be used to stimulate cell migration and thereby facilitate or progress wound and burn healing, repair of skin lesions such as ulcers, tissue replacement and grafting such as by in vitro culturing of autologous skin, re-epithelialization of internal organs such as kidney and lung and repair of damaged nerve tissue.

Skin replacement therapy has become well known in the art, and may employ use of co-cultured epithelial/keratinocyte cell lines, for example as described in Kehe et al., 1999, Arch. Dermatol. Res. 291 600 or in vitro culture of primary (usually autologous) epidermal, dermal and/or keratinocyte cells. These techniques may also utilize engineered biomaterials and synthetic polymer “scaffolds”.

Examples of reviews of the field in general are provided in Terskikh & Vasiliev, 1999, Int. Rev. Cytol. 188 41 and Eaglestein & Falanga, 1998, Cutis 62 1.

More particularly, the production of replacement oral mucosa useful in craniofacial surgery is described in Izumi et al., 2000, J. Dent. Res. 79 798. Fetal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts can be expanded in vitro to produce skin for grafting to treat skin lesions, such as described in Fauza et al., J. Pediatr. Surg. 33 357, while skin substitutes from dermal and epidermal skin elements cultured in vitro on hyaluronic acid-derived biomaterials have been shown to be potentially useful in the treatment of burns (Zacchi et al., 1998, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 40 187).

Polymer scaffolds are also contemplated for the purpose of facilitating replacement skin engineering, as for example described in Sheridan et al., 2000, J. Control Release 14 91 and Fauza et al., 1998, supra, as are microspheres as agents for the delivery of skin cells to wounds and burns (LaFrance & Armstrong, 1999, Tissue Eng. 5 153).

Production of Agonists and Antagonists

The invention contemplates use of isolated protein complexes inclusive of synthetic chimeric proteins of the invention to identify, screen, design or otherwise produce agonists or antagonists of complexes comprising a growth factor and vitronectin or fibronectin, such as IGF-II:VN, IGF-I:IGFBP:VN, IGF-II:FN or IGF-I:IGFBP:FN complexes. Such agents may be a “mimetic”. The term “mimetic” is used herein to refer to molecules that are designed to resemble particular functional regions of proteins or peptides, and includes within its scope the terms “agonist”, “analogue” and “antagonist” as are well understood in the art.

In one embodiment, agonists are produced that mimic the binding of the IGF-IR and VN/FN receptors by IGF-II:VN/FN or IGF-I:IGFBP:VN/FN complexes. Such molecules may have utility as stimulators of cell migration such as required for wound healing, skin regeneration and the like.

In another embodiment, antagonists are produced that prevent or inhibit the binding of the IGF-IR and integrin receptors by IGF-II:VN/FN or IGFII:IGFBP:VN/FN complexes. Such molecules may have utility as inhibitors of cell migration and/or cell proliferation and thereby constitute useful anti-tumour agents and also in treatments of skin disorders such as psoriasis and hypertrophic scarring that result from aberrant cell proliferation.

The aforementioned mimetics, agonists, antagonists and analogues may be peptides, polypeptides or other organic molecules, preferably small organic molecules, with a desired biological activity and half-life.

Computer-assisted structural database searching is becoming increasingly utilized as a procedure for identifying mimetics. Database searching methods which, in principle, may be suitable for identifying mimetics, may be found in International Publication WO 94/18232 (directed to producing HIV antigen mimetics), U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,019 and International Publication WO 97/41526 (directed to identifying EPO mimetics), each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Other methods include a variety of biophysical techniques which identify molecular interactions. These allow for the screening of candidate molecules according to whether said candidate molecule affects formation of IGF-IGFBP-VN complexes, for example. Methods applicable to potentially useful techniques such as competitive radioligand binding assays (see Upton et al., 1999, supra for a relevant method), analytical ultracentrifugation, microcalorimetry, surface plasmon resonance and optical biosensor-based methods are provided in Chapter 20 of CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN PROTEIN SCIENCE Eds. Coligan et al., (John Wiley & Sons, 1997) which is incorporated herein by reference.

So that the present invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, the skilled person is referred to the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Materials and Methods Cell Culture

The MCF-7 (ATCC# HTB-22) human breast carcinoma cell line was grown in DMEM/Hams' F12 (DMEM/F12) media (1:1) (Life Technologies, Mulgrave, VIC, Australia) containing 10% FCS. Media was changed daily and cells passaged at 80% confluence using 0.25% trypsin/0.5 mM Ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) solution (Oxoid, Hampshire, England).

The HaCAT human skin keratinocyte cell line was obtained from Prof. Norbet Fusenig (German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg). The HaCAT cell line was grown in DMEM media (Life Technologies) containing 10% FCS. Media was changed daily and cells passaged at 80% confluence using 0.25% trypsin/0.5 mM EDTA solution (Oxoid).

Prebinding of IGFs to VN and IGFBPs

Most in vitro assays examining cell function add exogenous factors in solution, hence the cells are bathed in the solution containing the substance throughout the assay. This is not the environment that cells encounter in vivo. Rather, cells in tissues are supported and surrounded by an ECM synthesized by cells, in which hormones and other factors are localized. In this study, which specifically addresses the binding of a growth factor to an ECM molecule, a strategy of pre-binding VN, IGFs and IGFBPs to tissue culture plastic in 24-well plates and to the lower chamber and membrane surface of 12.0 μL pore Costar Transwells™ (Costar, New York, N.Y., USA) was employed in an attempt to more accurately reflect the in vivo environment.

Three hundred microlitres of DMEM or DMEM/F12 media containing 300-1000 ng VN (Promega, Annandale, NSW, Australia) was added to 24-well tissue culture dishes or to the lower chamber of a Transwell™ and incubated at 37° C. for 2 hrs. Media containing unbound VN was removed and the wells were washed with 1 mL Hepes Binding Buffer (HBB) containing 0.5% Bovine Serum Albumin (RIA-grade) (BSA) (Sigma Aldrich). Three hundred μL HBB containing 1.0% BSA was then added to wells and incubated at 37° C. for 30 min in order to block non-specific binding sites in the tissue culture dishes. The wells were then washed again with 1 mL HBB containing 0.5% BSA. Three hundred μL HBB containing 0.5% BSA and IGF-II or IGF-I+IGFBP (GroPep, Adelaide, SA, Australia) was then added and the plates incubated again for 2 hrs. The solution containing unbound IGFs and IGFBPs was removed and the wells were washed with HBB and air dried in laminar flow hoods.

Migration Assays

Migration assays were performed essentially as described in Leavesley et al., 1993, Journal of Cell Biology 121:163-70. Fifty thousand cells which had been serum starved by incubation in serum-free media for 4 hours were seeded into the upper chamber of a 12.0 μm pore Costar Transwell™ (12 well plate format). Cells that had migrated to the lower surface of the porous membrane after 5 hrs incubation at 37° C. in 5% CO₂, were fixed then stained with Crystal Violet in 0.1 mM Borate Buffer (pH 9). The number of cells attached was estimated by extracting Crystal Violet in 10% acetic acid and determining the absorbance of these extracts via spectrophotometry.

Statistical Analysis

Data was analysed by first expressing all data as a percentage of the negative control (−VN, −IGF, −IGFBP). Responses where then tested for significance versus VN only controls and IGF only controls using a two tailed homoscedastic Student t-test. P values less than 0.05 indicate responses that were significantly different.

Results Migration

Cell migration is a key process in wound healing and both VN and IGFs have established roles in the mediation of cell migration. In order to dissect the ability of IGF-II bound to VN to alter HaCAT keratinocyte function the migration of cells through Transwells™ was measured.

FIG. 1 shows that in the presence of VN there is enhanced IGF-II induced migration of HaCAT human keratinocytes through Transwells™, especially at lower concentrations. Each bar represents data from 3 replicate experiments, with each treatment tested in triplicate.

Migration of the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was also tested. When 1 μg of VN was prebound to the lower well of 12.0 μm Transwells™ a five-fold increase in migration to the lower chamber was observed. “Prebinding” 1-100 ng of IGF-II to the wells in the absence of VN stimulated a two-fold increase in migration. However, when 1-100 ng of IGF-II was prebound to 1 μg VN in the lower chamber, eight to ten fold increases in cell migration were observed (FIG. 2). These responses were significantly higher (p<0.01) than the effects of IGF-II alone and VN alone.

[L²⁷]-IGF-II is an IGF-II analogue that does not bind to the IGF-IR; the receptor through which IGF mediated migration is believed to be signaled. Hence, assays examining the ability of [L²⁷]-IGF-II prebound to VN to stimulate MCF-7 cell migration through Transwells™ were conducted. These revealed that VN-[L²⁷] IGF-II complexes did not enhance MCF-7 migration beyond the level obtained with VN alone and that the level of migration was significantly less (p<0.01) than that observed in response to IGF-II bound to VN (FIG. 3). These results indicate that the enhanced migration arising from IGF-II bound to VN involves interaction of IGF-II with the IGF-IR.

IGFBPs are key regulators of IGF exposure to cells. In order to determine if IGFBPs are involved in the migratory responses to VN:IGF-II complexes observed here, migration assays in MCF-7 cells using an IGF-II analogue that binds poorly to IGFBPs, yet retains affinity for the IGF-IR were conducted. Assays using this IGF-II analogue, des(1-6)-IGF-II, revealed no differences in the migratory responses compared to native IGF-II, suggesting that IGF-II:VN complexes act independently of IGFBPs to enhance cell migration (FIG. 4).

In FIG. 5, the data show that an α_(v) integrin-blocking antibody substantially reduced MCF-7 cell migration in response to VN and IGF-II complexes. These data indicate that ligation and activation of the α_(v) integrin receptor for VN appears to be necessary for optimal cell migration in response to IGF-II:VN complexes.

Referring to FIG. 6, in which the IGF-I analogue L²⁴-IGF-I that binds poorly to the IGF-IR was examined in MCF-7 cell migration assays, the data demonstrates that:

(1) L²⁴-IGF-I and IGF-I have the same effect in the presence of VN but no IGFBP-5; and

(2) the presence of IGFBP-5 enhances the migration of cells when IGF-I and VN are present, but not when L²⁴-IGF-I and VN are present.

The above data suggest that activation of the IGF-IR is required for the cell migration observed in response to IGF-I:IGFBP:VN complexes and, furthermore, that co-ligation of an integrin receptor for VN is required.

The results of this study reveal for the first time that IGF-II:VN and IGF-I:IGFBP:VN complexes significantly stimulate cell migration. Taken together these data indicate that the VN:IGF complex is functionally relevant to wound healing and may indeed be a significant factor in breast cancer development and progression. Moreover, the enhanced migration involves activation of both the IGF-IR and VN-binding integrin receptors. If indeed, VN:IGF complexes do promote migration and thus metastasis of breast cancer cells, drugs directed at inhibiting VN:IGF complex formation or co-activation of growth factor and integrin receptors may prove to be highly effective therapeutics.

Example 2 Materials and Methods Purification of Yolk Vitronectin

Yolk vitronectin (VN) was purified using a modification of the method described in Nagano et al., 1992, The Journal of Biological Chemistry 267: 24863-24870. All solutions used in this procedure were Ph 7.4. Egg yolk obtained from chicken eggs (Farmland, Coles-Myer, Toowong, QLD, Australia) were suspended in an equal volume of cold Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (0.16 M NaCl, 10 mM sodium phosphate) containing 2 mM phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and centrifuged at 18,000 g at 4° C. for 20 mins. The supernatant (yolk plasma) was dialyzed overnight at 4° C. against 1 mM sodium phosphate containing 5 mM 2-β-mercaptoethanol and centrifuged at 20,000 g at 4° C. for 20 mins. The upper solid layer (low density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction) was recovered and resuspended in 15 ml PBS.

Yolk VN was purified from the LDL fraction using three chromatographic techniques: Gel-filtration, Sepharose CL-6B (Amersham Biosciences, Uppsala, Sweden); Hydroxyapatite HTP (Bio-Rad, Richmond, Calif., USA); and Ion exchange, Q Sepharose Fast Flow (Amersham Biosciences).

The Sepharose CL-6B column (10 ml bed volume, column size: 2.5 cm internal diameter (ID)×30 cm) was equilibrated in two steps using (i) PE-buffer (5 mM EDTA, 10 mM sodium phosphate) containing 2 M NaCl and (ii) PE buffer with 0.13 M NaCl. Fifty milliliters of the LDL fraction was diluted 1:1 with PE buffer and applied to the Sepharose CL-6B column, from which the unbound fraction was collected and then applied batchwise to a hydroxyapatite matrix, pre-equilibrated with 10 mM sodium phosphate containing 0.5 M NaCl. The hydroxyapatite was washed with the equilibration buffer followed by 20 ml of 10 mM sodium phosphate. The matrix was then packed into a column (1.5 cm ID×8 cm) and proteins were eluted with 200 mM sodium phosphate collecting 10×5 ml fractions. The eluted fractions were analyzed for the presence of yVN using pre-cast polyacrylamide 4-20% gradient gels (Gradipore, Frenchs Forest, NSW, Australia), SDS-PAGE (Laemmli, 1970) and Coomassie Brilliant Blue (G-250, BioRad) staining. Bio-Rad low range markers were used to determine the molecular weight of the proteins.

Fractions corresponding to the expected molecular weight of yVN (54 kDa) were pooled and dialyzed overnight at 4° C. against 10 mM sodium phosphate and then applied to a Q Sepharose Fast Flow matrix (5 ml bed volume, column size: 1 cm ID×10 cm) pre-equilibrated with 10 mM sodium phosphate. The column was washed with 0.15 M NaCl in 10 mM sodium phosphate and the yVN was eluted with 0.25 M NaCl in 10 mM sodium phosphate. Fractions were again assessed for molecular weight as above.

Preparation of IGF:VN Complexes

IGF:VN complexes were prebound to the 96 well plates and to the Transwells™ as described previously (Kricker et al., 2003, supra.).

Results

FIG. 8 shows the similarity between the full-length (75 kDa) serum VNs (a) and the truncated (54 kDa) yolk VN (b). The main similarities to note is that both these proteins have the RGD cell attachment site and the polyanionic region (the proposed IGF binding site). The main difference to note is that the yolk VN lacks the heparin binding domain.

FIG. 9 indicates that the predominate protein present in the elution fraction (lane E) is of the expected size of yolk VN (54 kDa). It is also important to note that this protein was used in the subsequent assays.

FIG. 10 demonstrates the ability of VNs to bind radiolabelled IGF-I in the presence of IGFBP-3. Therefore, this figure is showing that 54 kD yolk VN has the ability to bind IGF-I/IGFBP-3 at the same level as full-length yolk VN. This suggests that the IGF binding site is not located in the heparin binding domain (which the yolk VN (54 kDa) lacks) and strengthens the polyanionic site as the proposed IGF binding site.

FIG. 11 shows the ability of VN (serum or yolk) when complexed with IGF-I/IFGBP-3 enhances cell proliferation (measured by the MMT technique, assessing mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity) above the controls of no treatment, IGF-I/IGFBP-3 and VN alone. This also indicates that the truncated (54 kDa) yolk VN when complexed with IGF-I/IGFBP-3 can stimulate cell proliferation to the same extent as the full length VNs.

FIG. 12 demonstrates the ability of VN (serum or yolk) when in complex with IGF-I/IGFBP-3 can enhance cell migration (via the Transwell™ migration assay) over the controls of no treatment, IGF-I/IGFBP-3 and VN alone. Therefore, the same conclusions can be drawn from this figure as for FIG. 4, that the truncated (54 kDa) yolk VN when complexed with IGF-I/IGFBP-3 can stimulate cell proliferation to the same extent as the full length VNs. Taken together these figures suggest that the truncated (54 kDa) yolk VN when in complex with IGF-I/IGFBP-3 can stimulate both cell migration and proliferation to similar levels observed to the full-length (75 kDa) VN.

Example 3

Provided herein are proposed examples of synthetic chimeric proteins of the invention, in the form of VN:IGF-I chimeric proteins.

The proposed synthetic chimeric proteins variously set forth in FIGS. 14A-N. include any full-length or truncated forms of VN fused with IGF-I, with or without amino acid residue modifications. In addition the inventors propose fusing VN and IGF-I with or without the various peptide linkers.

Additionally, the present inventors contemplate chimeric proteins comprising VN and growth factors such as VEGF and PDGF, particular embodiments of which are set forth in FIG. 15.

The complete peptide sequences for mature VN (SEQ ID NO:2) and IGF-I (SEQ ID NO:3) used herein and shown in FIG. 13 were obtained from NCBI (accession # NP_(—)0000629 and 1BQT respectively). Annotation of residue numbers given for VN are those of the mature protein and exclude the signal peptide.

With regard to Vitronectin domain structure and Vitronectin ligand binding sites, these are described respectively in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Full-Length and Truncated Forms of VN

One example of a synthetic chimeric protein capable of modulating cell migration contains full-length mature VN and IGF-I proteins.

-   -   A) VN(1 . . . 459):IGF-I(1 . . . 70)

Another example capable of modulating cell migration contains the mature VN protein with a deletion of residues 380 to 459 (C-terminal 80 amino acids).

-   -   B) VN(1 . . . 379):IGF-I(1 . . . 70)

Monomeric VN in serum exists in two forms: a single chain 75 kDa polypeptide or an endogenously cleaved two chain form of VN consisting of a 65 kDa large fragment linked by a disulfide bond to a 10 kDa smaller fragment. Recent studies have shown that there is no functional difference between these forms suggesting that that the C-terminal 80 amino acids on VN do not confer a functional difference (Gibson and Peterson, 2001, Biochim Biophys Acta 1545 289-304). This is supported by the finding that porcine VN has lost this C-terminal region while retaining its functional activity (Yoneda et al., 1996, J Biochem (Tokyo) 120: 954-60). Thus we propose a more compact chimeric molecule containing a C-terminal 80 amino acid truncated VN that still confers all functional properties of VN.

Yet another chimera contains only the Somatomedin B domain of VN linked to IGF-I. This region contains the plasminogen activator-1 (PAI-1), urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and integrin binding sites (Schvartz et al., 1999, Int J Biochem Cell Biol 31: 539-44.

This chimera would not interact with components in the ECM such as collagen and glycosaminoglycans. This incorporates a deletion of residues 53 to 459 on VN (connecting region, central beta-propeller domain and heparin binding domain).

-   -   C) VN(1 . . . 52):IGF-I(1 . . . 70)

The connecting region of VN has been speculated to play roles in binding the thrombin-antithrombin complex as well as the ECM component collagen. The chimera proposed here contains the Somatomedin B domain of VN as well as the connecting region created by deletion of residues 131 to 459 on VN (central beta-propeller domain and heparin binding domain).

-   -   D) VN (1 . . . 130):IGF-I(1 . . . 70)

In a further example the central domain on VN is the largest, but least well characterised domain of the protein in terms of function. However, it is speculated that the beta-propeller structure observed in this domain may be responsible for the multimerisation of VN (Xu et al., 2001, Proteins 44: 312-20.

We propose the deletion of this domain to result in a smaller chimera that retains the ligand binding regions within the Somatomedin B domain, polyanionic connecting region and polycationic heparin binding domain (HBD) of VN that would, however, be unable to self associate. This involves a deletion of residues 131 to 346 on VN (central beta-propeller domain).

-   -   E) VN(1 . . . 130, 347-459):IGF-I(1 . . . 70)

Still yet another chimera consists of the most compact form of VN we believe capable of binding its extracellular ligands. The protein has both the central domain and the C-terminal 80 amino acids of VN removed. This requires a deletion of residues 131 to 346 and 380 to 459 on VN (central beta-propeller domain and C-terminal 80 amino acids respectively).

-   -   F) VN(1 . . . 130, 347-379):IGF-I(1 . . . 70)

A further example of a chimera contains a C-terminal truncated VN without the heparin-binding domain. Thus the protein contains the Somatomedin B domain, connecting region and central beta-propeller domain of VN. Although putative secondary heparin binding sites have been proposed for VN within the central beta-propeller domain of VN, Gibson and others (Gibson et al., 1999, J Biol Chem 274 6432-42) demonstrated that these are not functional and that the heparin binding domain is responsible for total glycosaminoglycan binding activity. Thus the chimera would not interact with heparin and heparan sulfates. This chimera has a deletion of residues 347 to 459 on VN (heparin binding domain).

-   -   G) VN(1 . . . 346):IGF-I(1 . . . 70)

Residue Modifications on VN and IGF-I

VN can be phosphorylated by casein kinase II (CK2) at residues T⁵⁰ and T⁵⁷ to promote cell adhesion and spreading. While both CK2-phosphorlated and CK2-non-phosphorylated analogues of VN (simulated by VN mutants (T50E,T57E) and (T50A,T57A) respectively) bind αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins to activate the ERK signalling pathway, only the CK2-phosphorlated analogue of VN specifically binding the αvβ3 integrin activated the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3-K) pathway (Seger et al., 1998, J Biol Chem 273: 24805-13; Seger et al., 2001, J Biol Chem 276: 16998-7006).

It is this PI3-K pathway activation that presumably leads to increased cell adhesion and spreading. We therefore propose chimeras with mutations that would either promote or inhibit the activation of the PI3-K pathway following binding to the αvβ3 integrin. Thus a chimeric molecule with the T50A and T57A substitutions on VN would be analogous to the CK2-non phosphorylated VN and be restricted to signalling through the ERK pathway (H) whereas synthetic constructs with the T50E and T57E substitutions on VN would mimic the CK2-phosphorylated VN and be capable of activating both the ERK and PI3-K pathway leading to altered intracellular signalling (I).

-   -   H) VN(T50A,T57A):IGF-I     -   I) VN(T50E,T57E):IGF-I

There is a cAMP-dependant protein kinase (PKA) phosphorylation site at residue S³⁷⁸ on VN. It has been demonstrated with PKA-phosphorylated and PKA-non phosphorylated VN analogues (simulated by VN mutants S378E and S378A respectively) that phosphorylation of this site reduces the binding of PAI-1 to VN and thus modulate VN role in the urokinase system (Schvartz et al., 2002, Arch Biochem Biophys 397: 246-52.

We therefore propose chimeras containing both the S378E mutation on VN to inhibit PAI-1 binding by the chimera (J) and the S378A mutation on VN to promote PAI-1 binding and stabilisation within the chimeric protein (K). Furthermore, a S378A mutation may enhance cell migration as PAI-1 binding to VN has been shown to inhibit integrin-mediated cell migration (Kjoller et al., 1997, Exp Cell Res 232: 420-9) and uPAR- and integrin-mediated cell adhesion on VN (Deng et al., 2001, J Cell Physiol 189 23-33. Interestingly these findings were observed independently of PAI-1's function as an inhibitor of plasminogen activation.

-   -   J) VN(S378E):IGF-I     -   K) VN(S378A):IGF-I

Gechtman and Shaltiel, 1997, Eur J Biochem 243 493-501, have shown that protein kinase C(PKC) can phosphorylate VN at residue S³⁶². This phosphorylation attenuates the plasmin cleavage of VN which occurs within the heparin binding domain of VN. Thus plasmin cleavage at this site modulates the affinity of VN for its ligands that bind within this region and also modulates the half-life of VN. We therefore propose introducing a S362E substitution to mimic the phosphorylated serine and to consequently inhibit the chimera's cleavage by plasmin

-   -   L) VN (S362E):IGF-I

IGFBPs have been shown to require the N-terminal 3 residues on IGF-I for binding this growth factor with high affinity (Tomas et al., 1991, J Endocrinol 128: 97-105.

It therefore appears unlikely that IGF-I linked to VN through its N-terminal sequence could bind IGFBPs. Despite this, we further propose a VN:IGF-I chimera containing an N-terminal-truncated IGF-I to eliminate all chance that IGFBPs could bind to IGF-I and consequently inhibit the biological activity of the VN:IGF-I chimeric protein. This construct includes a deletion of residues 1 to 3 on IGF-I (IGFBP binding region).

-   -   M) VN:IGF-I(4 . . . 70)

It has been suggested that the polyanionic region of VN is responsible for binding IGF-II and IGFBPs. We therefore propose yet another VN:IGF-I chimera that has the polyanionic domain removed from VN. This chimera may therefore be unable to IGF-II or IGFBPs.

-   -   N) VN (1 . . . 52, 65 . . . 459) IGF-I (1 . . . 70)

Fusing VN to IGF-I

We propose that VN and IGF-I cDNA can be fused together prior to expression with or without the insertion of a peptide linker sequence. Various linker sequences have been used successfully to fuse proteins, usually consisting of combinations of glycine and serine residues and/or protease cleavage sites such as for thrombin, collagenase or plasmin.

Non-limiting examples of linker sequences are:

(i) Gly₄ Ser; (SEQ ID NO: 4) (ii) Gly₄ Ser₃; (SEQ ID NO: 5) (iii) (Gly₄ Ser)₃.; (SEQ ID NO: 6) (iv) Leu Ile Lys Met Lys Pro; (SEQ ID NO: 7) and (v) Gln Pro Gln Gly Leu Ala Lys. (SEQ ID NO: 8)

Fusion of VN to Other Peptide Growth Factors

In addition to fusing the extracellular matrix protein, VN, with the growth factor, IGF-I, we propose the fusion of VN with other peptide growth factors. Specifically, we propose the development of the following chimeric proteins (FIG. 16).

-   -   A) VN:PDGFα(1 . . . 210) (NCBI accession # P04085)     -   B) VN:VEGF(1 . . . 102) (NCBI accession # 2VPFE)

We propose that respective cell surface receptors interact with integrins, and in particular, the VN receptor, the αvβ3 integrin. Specifically, it has been shown that the PDGF receptor co-immunoprecipitates with the αvβ3 integrin following stimulation with PDGF (Schneller et al., EMBO J. 16: 5600-7.

It has also been demonstrated that the VEGF receptor type 2 co-immunoprecipitates with the VN receptor following stimulation with its growth factor (Soldi et al., EMBO J. 18: 882-92).

The findings that the receptors for these growth factors interact with the αvβ3 integrin suggest that there is an important role for this interaction in modulating/potentiating the intracellular signalling pathways of these cell surface receptors. Therefore the co-activation and association of these receptors initiated by the above chimeric proteins may induce profound biological responses relevant to therapeutic applications.

Example 4 IGF-I, IGFBPs and FN Stimulate Cell Migration

MCF-10A cells were seeded onto Transwells that had been coated with FN (1 ug/mL) and increasing concentrations of IGF-I prebound in the presence of IGFBP-3 or -5. The cells where allowed to migrate for 5 hours. The number of cells traversing the membrane in response to each treatment was then expressed as a percentage of those that migrated on FN only (SFM). MCF-10 data are pooled from three experiments with treatments tested in four wells in each replicate experiment and shown in FIG. 17. Error bars indicate SEM. SFM=Serum-free media. IGF-I:FN, IGF-I:IGFBP-3:FN and IGF-I:IGFBP-5:FN were able to stimulate significantly increased migration above that of FN alone control wells (responses of 153.7+/−7.3%, 192.5+/−6.8% and 187.5+/−6.5% of the FN control wells, respectively) (p<0.05). The response of the MCF7-10A cells to IGF-I:IGFBP-3:FN and IGF-I:IGFBP-5:FN treatments was also significantly greater than those obtained with either IGFBP or IGF-I alone with FN (p<0.05). This data indicates that as was found with IGF-I:IGFBP-3/5:VN complexes, maximal responses occur when the trimeric IGF-I:IGFBP-3/5:FN complexes are present. This suggests that chimeras containing IGF-I linked to FN are likely to activate the FN binding integrins and the cognate growth factor receptor in a similar manner to that proposed for VN:growth factor chimeras.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. It will therefore be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

All computer programs, algorithms, patent and scientific literature referred to herein is incorporated herein by reference. 

1. An isolated protein complex in the form of a synthetic chimeric protein comprising an amino acid sequence of: (i) a growth factor selected from IGF-I and IGF-II, or at least a domain of said growth factor which is capable of binding a cognate growth factor receptor; and (ii) fibronectin (FN) or a fragment of FN comprising at least an integrin-binding domain of FN.
 2. The isolated protein complex of claim 1, wherein the integrin-binding domain is an α₁ integrin-binding domain or an α₄ integrin-binding domain.
 3. The isolated protein complex of claim 1, wherein the fragment of FN comprises amino acids 1299-1572 of a mature FN sequence (SEQ ID NO:25).
 4. The isolated protein complex of claim 1, wherein the fragment of FN comprises amino acids 1479-1572 of a mature FN sequence (SEQ ID NO:25).
 5. The isolated protein complex of claim 1, which does not comprise an IGFBP amino acid sequence.
 6. The isolated protein complex of claim 1, wherein and said at least a domain of IGF-I which is capable of binding a cognate growth factor receptor includes residue 24 of IGF-I.
 7. The isolated protein complex of claim 1, comprising amino acid residues 4 to 70 of IGF-I.
 8. The isolated protein complex of claim 1, comprising amino acid residues 1 to 70 of IGF-I.
 9. The isolated protein complex of claim 1, further comprising at least one linker sequence.
 10. The isolated protein complex of claim 9, wherein the linker sequence comprises a protease cleavage site.
 11. The isolated protein complex of claim 9, wherein the linker sequence is selected from the group consisting of: (i) Gly₄ Ser; (SEQ ID NO: 4) (ii) Gly₄ Ser₃; (SEQ ID NO: 5) (iii) (Gly₄ Ser)₃.; (SEQ ID NO: 6) (iv) Leu Ile Lys Met Lys Pro; (SEQ ID NO: 7) and (v) Gln Pro Gln Gly Leu Ala Lys. (SEQ ID NO: 8)


12. An isolated nucleic acid encoding the isolated protein complex of claim
 1. 13. A genetic construct comprising the isolated nucleic acid of claim 12 operably linked to one or more regulatory nucleotide sequences in a vector.
 14. The genetic construct of claim 13, which is an expression construct wherein the isolated nucleic acid is operably linked to a promoter.
 15. A host cell comprising the genetic construct of claim
 13. 16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the isolated protein complex of the claim 1 and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.
 17. A surgical implant, scaffold or prosthesis impregnated, coated or otherwise comprising the isolated protein complex of claim
 1. 18. A wound or burn dressing comprising the isolated protein complex of claim
 1. 19. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the isolated protein complex of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.
 20. A method of promoting cell migration and/or proliferation including the step of using the isolated protein complex of claim 1 to bind both a growth factor receptor and an integrin receptor expressed by a cell to thereby induce, augment or otherwise promote migration and/or proliferation of said cell.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the isolated protein complex is administered to an animal to promote cell migration and/or proliferation in situ.
 22. The method of claim 21, for prophylactically or therapeutically to induce, augment or otherwise promote epithelial cell migration and/or proliferation to thereby facilitate wound healing in situ.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the animal is a human.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein the isolated protein complex is administered to one or more cells or tissues in vitro. 